* Multiple Definitions: "Speaking Tagalog" can be interpreted in various ways:
* Native speakers: People who grew up speaking Tagalog as their first language.
* Fluent speakers: Those who can communicate effectively in Tagalog, even if it's not their first language.
* Passive speakers: People who understand Tagalog but may not speak it fluently.
* Varied Data Collection: Different sources use different methodologies to collect data, leading to discrepancies in figures.
* Evolving Language: Tagalog is a dynamic language, and the number of speakers constantly changes.
However, some estimates provide general ideas:
* Philippines: The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) estimated that 27.9 million Filipinos used Tagalog as their main language in 2015.
* Globally: Some sources suggest that Tagalog is spoken by over 80 million people worldwide, including Filipinos in the Philippines and the diaspora.
It's crucial to understand that these are estimates and should be interpreted with caution.